Responding to a question based on speculations about his political ambition and motivations, he said, “It is not a speculation. It is true. By the grace of God, we will be contesting for the House of Representatives election in 2019.
Ahead of the next elections into the National Assembly scheduled for 2019, youthful businessman and founder of Oluwafemi Iselaiye Foundation (OIF), a philanthropic organisation, Mr Femi Iselaiye, has hinted on his intention to run for the House of Representatives election for Yagba West, Yagba East and Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State.
Iselaiye made the disclosure shortly after he collected his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in his home town, Isanlu, headquarters of Yagba East Local Government Area. Fielding questions from journalists, Iselaiye who is in his mid-30s noted that “leadership is not by age or size.. It is by people oriented vision, support my dream.”.
He stated that his ambition was premised on the “palpable signs of neglect, backwardness and underdevelopment” that permeated the area and the desire to turn around the fortunes of the people with special focus on road infrastructure, education and human resource capacity building.
Iselaiye who is Principal Partner, F&F Trees Service based in the United States of America, pointed out that although his business is located outside the country, he grew up in Nigeria and visit the country regularly, an experience he noted had exposed him to “how things can be better done in a democracy. It is not a question of self-service. It is about service and the people are central to it.”
Responding to a question based on speculations about his political ambition and motivations, he said, “It is not a speculation. It is true. By the grace of God, we will be contesting for the House of Representatives election in 2019. Talking about motivations, I would give you one answer-look around you; just take a look at what you see. Things are not the way they supposed to be. I have been here for three hours trying to complete this (voter) registration, there is no light. Coming here, there is no road. From Egbe to Kabba, the road is an eyesore. Everywhere you go, what you see is palpable signs of neglect, decay, backwardness, underdevelopment, hunger and depression. Quickest answer is look around you”.
He added, “Through the OIF, we have tried within our means to touch lives using our own God given resources. Our experience has exposed us to the vista of the problems faced by the vulnerable population. I have carefully articulated the problems and the type of representation our people need. Now it is our desire to explore the direct approach of getting involved with the process of governance through enacting good laws to turn round the fortunes of the people.”
Recent activities of OIF, a non-governmental organization which targets poverty among the vulnerable population in Yagbaland, included distribution of note books to primary school pupils, cash donation to widows, supports to orphanage homes, organizing seminars and sports competitions geared at helping the people realize their potentials in sport and education, among others.
